In this episode of the Weekly Defence Podcast, we take a mid-year recap, looking back at some of the highlights from earlier episodes, including coverage of Brazil's main defence exhibition, trends in the air defence market and Australia's development of unmanned assets.

• Show coverage: LAAD in Brazil

Beth Maundrill, our deputy land editor, attended the LAAD exhibition in Rio de Janeiro with Kate and Matt Smith. The team runs through all the news and developments from the event and discusses who is positioning themselves for sales across South America.

• Shephard Analysis – Air Defence Market

Shephard Media’s director of analyst Matt Smith and analyst Ilker Aktaşoğlu talk about their findings and predictions on the current state of the air defence market.

The team discuss the dynamism of the short-range air defence segment, look at emerging requirements Canada and Norway, and consider the effect the weaponisation of consumer drones has had on the sector.

• Interview – Kieran Joyce, Australian Army

While at AUVSI, Tony Skinner, our VP of content, met with Kieran Joyce – the programme manager for unmanned aerial systems for the Australian Army. The conversation covers the army’s use of UAVs such as the Black Hornet, the progress of a new UAV programme and drone racing.

• Industry Voice – Nammo

In this week’s Industry Voice Tony Skinner, our VP of Content, and Endre Lunde, SVP of Communications for Nammo, discuss the trends in global defence spending

Music and sound mixing provided by Fred Prest

In this episode of the Weekly Defence Podcast, we discuss the Chinese military assets gathering on the border with Hong Kong, we speak to French company Texelis about its involvement in the French Army’s Scorpion programme, and the Royal Canadian Air Force provides an update on the satellite communication programmes it oversees for the country’s armed forces.

• News Roundup (00:48)

On the news this week…

With the launch of our China Rising: Special Report, Shephard Media’s director of analysis Matthew Smith considers the development of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) and where the investment is going.

Deputy air domain editor Tim Martin explains the situation where the US Army has been forced to downplay concerns that a manufacturer involved in the service’s Future Tactical Unmanned Aerial System (FTUAS) programme could force other aircraft to be ineligible for any final contract selection.

Land editor Beth Maundrill explains that the US Marine Corps (USMC) has declared that its Oshkosh Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV) has reached initial operational capability (IOC) just under a year ahead of schedule. 

It can now deploy and support naval expeditionary missions worldwide, following the declaration of IOC by the Marine Corps Combat Development Command on 2 August, an achievement that was expected to be met in June 2020.

• Deep Dive –Texelis and French land programmes (13:32)

Land editor Beth Maundrill sits down with the President of Texelis, Charles-Antoine de Barbuat, to discuss the evolution of the company and the French Army land programmes it supports.

• Interview – Royal Canadian Air Force (24:20)

Although the space domain may be a relatively new responsibility for the Royal Canadian Air Force (RFAC), the service has developed a five-year roadmap laying out the space framework for the armed forces.

Colonel Cameron Stoltz, Director of Space Requirements for the Royal Canadian Air Force, explains that in expanding its commitment to the space domain, Canada’s defence policy commits to ‘increased and predictable’ funding to deliver new capabilities, such as earth observation, space situational awareness, and satellite communications. 

Ottawa is particularly focused on enhanced coverage of the country's northern-most regions, which are largely devoid of such capabilities.

• Industry Voice – Nammo (40:20)

In this week’s Industry Voice Tony Skinner, our VP of Content, and Endre Lunde, SVP of Communications for Nammo, discuss the evolution of the defence trade press and how the sector needs to change further in order to survive.

Music and sound mixing provided by Fred Prest

In this episode of the Weekly Defence Podcast, we quiz the US Army on the progress of its Next-Generation Combat Vehicle project, we speak to the chief executive of independent technology group Cohort and in our Industry Voice segment sponsor Nammo considers the implications of vehicle-borne lasers. 

• News Roundup (01:06)

On the news this week…

We learn how the German Federal Ministry of Defence (MoD) has privately handed RfP solicitations for its heavy-lift helicopter programme to Sikorsky and Boeing. 

Elbit Systems has concluded testing of its new Armored Fighting Vehicle (AFV) as part of the Israeli Ministry of Defense’s CARMEL Future Combat Vehicle project. The AFV applies autonomous capabilities and artificial intelligence to accelerate decision making and facilitate target engagement with increased rapidity and accuracy.

 On the naval front, we hear how shipbuilding has formed a central theme around UK defence commentary for a number of years. However, with Northern Ireland-based shipbuilders Harland and Wolff (H&W) entering administration, the notion of a revitalised UK naval manufacturing capability took another blow following the announcement earlier in the year of the drawdown and closure of Babcock’s Appledore facility.

The woes of the maritime industry in the UK comes at a time when the sector has never been more in the public eye, with ongoing issues in the Gulf regarding tanker security continuing to dominate headlines.

• Interview – US Army on its Next-Generation Combat Vehicle (15:25)

Land reporter Kate Martyr quizzes the US Army on the progress of its Next-Generation Combat Vehicle programme, in particular the Robotic Combat Vehicle (RCV) and Optionally Manned Fighting Vehicle (OMFV) components.

Kate spoke to Major Cory Wallace, who is Robotic Combat Vehicle Lead on the Next Generation Combat Vehicle Cross-Functional Team, and Chris Ostrowski, associate director at Army Futures Command (AFC) Ground Vehicle Systems (formerly TARDEC).

• Interview – Cohort Chief Executive (32:28)

 Land editor Beth Maundrill speaks to Andrew Thomis, Chief Executive of technology group Cohort, about the organisation’s development and support of its five SMEs.

• Industry Voice – Nammo (39:54)

In this week’s Industry Voice, Tony Skinner, our VP of Content, and Endre Lunde, SVP of Communications for Nammo, talk about the next-generation laser technologies under development.

Music and sound mixing provided by Fred Prest

In this episode of the Weekly Defence Podcast, as we farewell regular host Helen Haxell we took the chance to look back at some of our best coverage of the past few months, including naval power in Singapore, our chat with the chief of the South African Army and discussing the future of military rotorcraft. While our sponsor Nammo provides this week’s Industry Voice segment.

And a big thanks to Helen for all her hard work on the podcast and best wishes with the new role!

• Show coverage – IMDEX Asia (01:53)

 At IMDEX Asia 2019 in Singapore, the team cover the numerous companies touting their naval wares, including ST Engineering showcasing their Vanguard 130 vessel, which seems to tick all the requirements the Singapore Navy has recently announced for their next multirole combat vessel. 

The team also discuss the various conferences that took place at the event, reporting on topics such as the threat of increased connectivity between maritime vessels and how it may be subverted, the threats posed by contractors accessing ships during their maintenance cycles and the continuing demand for innovation.

• Interview – Lieutenant General Lindile Yam (13:43)

Deputy land editor Beth Maundrill had a busy first half of the year and during her time in South Africa she was able to sit down with Lieutenant General Lindile Yam, chief of the South African Army, to talk about the financial problems facing the military in the region.

• Interview – Bell (28:00)

 Air domain editor Helen Haxell talks to Steve Mathias, Bell’s VP for global military sales and strategy, who provides an update on the company’s bid for the US Navy’s Advanced Helicopter Training System (TH-XX), progress of the flight trials of the V-280 Valor tiltrotor and longer-term helicopter technology development at Bell

• Industry Voice – Nammo (39:54)

In this week’s Industry Voice Tony Skinner, our VP of Content, and Endre Lunde, SVP of Communications for Nammo, about how the defence industry is increasingly looking to go green and the reasons why.

Music and sound mixing provided by Fred Prest

In this episode of the Weekly Defence Podcast, we provide coverage of the recent Air and Space Power Conference and the defence trends and challenges that were discussed. We speak to the chief executive of the European Defence Agency about its achievements over the past 15 years. 

And our sponsor Nammo provides this week’s Industry Voice segment. 

• News Round Up (01:02)

This week in the news…

With tensions heating up in the Persian Gulf, Helen Haxell and Richard Thomas discuss the implications of the UK’s change of prime minister – which was quickly followed by the ousting of defence secretary Penny Mordaunt – on the nation’s naval posture.

Tim Martin outlines how widely publicised crashes and delays that have long derailed the UK’s unmanned Watchkeeper programme look to be behind the UK. The MoD is moving out with flight testing of Equipment Standard 2 (ES2) and looks forward to receipt of all 54 air vehicles later this year.

Kate Martyr tests the team’s armoured vehicle recognition skills by presenting images of the US Army’s NGCV concept.

• Show coverage – the Air and Space Power Conference (12:30)

Air domain specialists Helen Haxell and Tim Martin discuss all the developments from the Air and Space Power Conference held recently in London.

With the theme of ‘Multi-Domain Operations for the Next Generation Air Force’, the conference covered emerging technologies and opportunities for innovation in the air, space, cyber and artificial intelligence spheres.

The Shephard team presents audio coverage from the-then UK Secretary of State for Defence, Penny Mordaunt MP; General David Goldfein, Chief of Staff, United States Air Force; Major General Tonje Skinnarland, Chief of the Royal Norwegian Air Force; and Air Vice-Marshal Simon Rochelle, RAF Chief of Staff Capability.

• Interview – Jorge Domecq, Chief Executive of the European Defence Agency (33:38)

Land reporter Kate Martyr speaks to Jorge Domecq, Chief Executive of the European Defence Agency, about the EDA’s role and achievements on the 15th anniversary of its establishment.

• Industry Voice – Nammo (51:20)

In this week’s Industry Voice Tony Skinner, our VP of Content, and Endre Lunde, SVP of Communications for Nammo, discuss the role of the European Defence Agency in furthering European defence.

Music and sound mixing provided by Fred Prest

In this episode of the Weekly Defence Podcast, we head deep into the UK countryside to attend the 3CDSE event and see the special forces kit on display, speak to AAR about its support of the US Navy’s P-8A Poseidon and, in our Industry Voice segment, our sponsor Nammo considers the future of NATO.

• News Round Up (01:17)

This week in the news…

Air domain editor Helen Haxell considers the retention of UK defence sovereignty, in light of the progress of the BAE Systems-led Tempest future fighter programme.

Editor-in-chief Richard Thomas was at Naval Group’s facility in Cherbourg on 12 July for the launch of the first of the French Navy’s Suffren-class nuclear-powered attack submarine, the product of a generation of intellectual and physical labour from French industry, government and military agencies.

The first of the nuclear-powered Barracuda design from Naval Group, Suffren will eventually be joined by five other boats all of which are currently at various stages of construction or development.

In the land domain, reporter Kate Martyr details coverage of the force-on-force portion of Exercise Talisman Sabre 2019, which kicked off on 16 July with the largest-scale Australian-led amphibious landing since World War II. A notable part of the pivotal beach assault was the inclusion of Japanese troops for the first time.

During the event, around 300 members of the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF) came ashore via AAV7s and hovercraft, representing a dramatic scaling-up of its contribution to this biennial and bilateral Australia-US exercise.

• Show coverage – the Three Counties Defence and Security Expo (15:55)

The Shephard team this week attended the Three Counties Defence and Security Expo in picturesque Mavern in the UK to see the special forces-focused technology on display.

The Three Counties of Herefordshire, Worcestershire and Gloucestershire comprise a hub of defence and security with the MoD-based in Herefordshire, Qinetiq and the Malvern Cyber Cluster in Worcestershire and GCHQ in Gloucestershire, plus all the satellite industries which have grown up around them.

As VP of Content Tony Skinner found, special forces applications were at the fore of most companies displays. Among the companies we spoke to were EZ Raider, Iceni Labs, Level Peaks, Prometheus Medical and Ultra Electronics.

• Interview – AAR Corporation (38:00)

We speak to Brian Sartain, SVP Repair and Engineering at AAR Corporation about the company’s support to the US Navy’s P-8A Poseidon and other opportunities. 

• Industry Voice – Nammo (45:40)

In this week’s Industry Voice Tony Skinner, our VP of Content, and Endre Lunde, SVP of Communications for Nammo, discuss the future of NATO.

Music and sound mixing provided by Fred Prest

In this episode of the Weekly Defence Podcast, we speak to our analyst team about their research into the 8x8 armoured vehicle sector, the group president of CAE’s Defence & Security Group outlines his vision for military training and simulation and, in our Industry Voice segment, our sponsor Nammo considers future relevance of major defence exhibitions.

• News Round Up (00:51)

This week in the news…

In land warfare news, during the Army-2019 defence exhibition held in Kubinka, Moscow, the production version of the Sosna short-range mobile short-range air defence system (SHORAD) was revealed newly-installed on a tracked chassis from the BMP-3 new-generation IFV. Land Reporter Kate Martyr considers the implications.

Elsewhere, Taiwan has decided to order 108 M1A2 Abrams tanks plus ammunition from the US. These MBTs will equip two armoured battalions in the northern sector of Taiwan, to replace some existing M60A3 TTS and CM11 tanks.

Deputy Land Domain Editor Beth Maundrill also outlines how as the first fleet of 32 Austrian BvS10 all-terrain vehicles (ATV) edge towards Initial Operational Capability (IOC), doubts have been cast as to whether there will be a follow-on order for the new ATVs.

In the aviation realm, the Australian Army has begun its search for a successor to the troubled Tiger Armed Reconnaissance Helicopter (ARH), with an RFI issued on 1 July. The effort is labelled Project Land 4503, and the number of aircraft being sought is 29. Significantly, this figure is higher than the 22 Tigers that were ordered in 2001.

Senior reporter Tim Martin looks at the potential contenders for the new requirement.

• Market analysis – 8x8 armoured vehicle market (16:25)

Matthew Smith, Director of Analysis, and Sonny Butterworth, the Land Domain Analyst here at Shephard Media, their research into the 8x8 armoured vehicle market and the trends that have emerged.

The report, which will be published as part of our Armoured Vehicle handbook, outlines the renewed investment in the 8x8 sector through the purchase of new platforms and the emergence of major developmental programmes to replace long-serving legacy fleets.

For more on information on the sector, our ten-year Armoured Vehicles Market Report and Forecast is available for purchase.

• Interview – (26:12)

Helen Haxell, Air Domain Editor, speaks to Gene Colabatistto, Group President of CAE's Defence & Security Group, about training, simulation and new technologies.

• Industry Voice – Nammo (36:37)

In this week’s Industry Voice Tony Skinner, our VP of Content, and Endre Lunde, SVP of Communications for Nammo, discuss the continued relevance of the large defence exhibitions in the annual calendar.

Music and sound mixing provided by Fred Prest

What equipment does the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) have in Hong Kong? What will be the role of AI and cyber offensive capabilities on the future battlefield? 

In this episode of the Weekly Defence Podcast, we hear from our Asia Pacific Editor about China’s Hong Kong garrison and the military equipment on display at a recent base open day. We speak to a former Commandant of the French Foreign Legion about his vision of collaborative combat.

The team look at the implications of the major defence stories of the week and our sponsor Nammo considers the trend of governments entering into long-term supply agreements with industry.

• News Round Up (00:48)

 This week in the news…

On the naval front, Editor-in-Chief Richard Thomas outlines Russian plans to procure two Project 885M nuclear-powered submarines and two Project 677 diesel-electric submarines to boost its sub-surface fleet.

China is also growing its submarine fleet. The US credits the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) with currently having six SSBNs, six SSNs and 50 diesel-electric submarines.

An analysis by Asia Pacific Editor Gordon Arthur shows how China has developed a more modern submarine force, optimised primarily for regional anti-surface warfare missions near major sea lines of communication.

On the aviation side of the house, Air Domain Editor Helen Haxell explains how the Philippine Air Force (PAF) used the celebration of its 72nd anniversary on 2 July to highlight new platforms that the force is expecting in the coming year or so.

Land-side, in the wake of the final formation of Rheinmetall BAE Systems Land (RBSL), Deputy Land Domain Editor Beth Maundrill considers how this development could affect the British Army's Challenger 2 Life Extension Programme (CR2 LEP).

• Behind the news – a visit to the Hong Kong Garrison of the People’s Liberation Army (16:00)

Over a three-day period from 29 June to 1 July, the Hong Kong Garrison of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) opened the gates of three of its military camps to ticket-carrying members of the public.

Our Asia Pacific Editor Gordon Arthur was there and explains to host Helen Haxell how, in light of ongoing civil tensions and mass public protests in Hong Kong, the PLA was on even higher alert than normal, with several new pieces of equipment on display.

You can read Gordon’s full story here: PLA shows varied capabilities in Hong Kong

• Interview – General Alain Bouquin (30:48)

Tony Skinner, VP Content, speaks to General Alain Bouquin – a former Commandant of the French Foreign Legion and now strategic advisor to Thales – about the use of cyber attack and AI on the battlefield and his concept of collaborative combat.

• Industry Voice – Nammo (42:38)

In this week’s Industry Voice Tony Skinner, our VP of Content, and Endre Lunde, SVP of Communications for Nammo, discuss the trend of governments entering into long-term supply agreements with industry and the implications for international cooperation.

Music and sound mixing provided by Fred Prest

Why mount a Javelin on a Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV)? Why is Russia buying 100 new-generation attack helicopters? And what’s the future of manned-unmanned teaming technologies?

In this episode of the Weekly Defence Podcast, the team look at the implications of the major defence stories of the week, we speak to L3 Technologies about its development of MUM-T and we discuss the future of UK defence exports with the director of the Defence and Security Organisation (DSO).

In our Industry Voice segment, meanwhile, our sponsor Nammo discusses the implications of the main defence stories of the first half of 2019.

• News Round Up (01:00)

This week in the news…

The team discusses the escalation of tensions between the US and Iran, following Iran’s Revolutionary Guard shooting down a BAMS-D version of the RQ-4 Global Hawk on 19 June.

Elsewhere, Deputy Land Editor Beth Maundrill looks at the implications of a test at Redstone Arsenal in which a Javelin anti-tank guided missile was tested using a Kongsberg remote weapon station mounted on a Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV).

In the air domain, Senior Reporter Tim Martin and Air Domain Helen Haxell look at Russian MoD plans to place a large-scale order for no fewer than 98 Mi-28NM new-generation attack helicopters.

Tim also outlines how the co-axial Sikorsky S-97 Raider programme has managed to successfully overcome software-based problems but has yet to achieve a self-imposed speed target of 220kt.

Out at sea, Editor-in-Chief Richard Thomas provides an update on both the US Navy’s Future Guided Missile Frigate (FFG(X)) and future Large Surface Combatant (LSC). Two RfIs were released for the latter in February 2019 and the navy now reports it has received responses from more than 30 potential industry partners.

• Paris Air Show coverage – The future of manned/unmanned teaming (20:13)

Air Domain Editor Helen Haxell sits down with L3 Technologies to talk about manned-unmanned teaming developments and how the technology has evolved. 

Daniel Gelston, L3 Technologies President of Broadband Communications Sector and Rob Johnston, Director of Business Development at the company provide their insight.

• Interview – Mark Goldsack, Director of the UK’s Defence and Security Organisation (DSO) (33:33)

Tony Skinner, VP Content, speaks to the Director of the UK’s Defence and Security Organisation (DSO), Mark Goldsack, about the future of defence exports and the role that technology transfer now plays in international partnering across the sector.

• Industry Voice – Nammo (46:49)

In this week’s Industry Voice Tony Skinner, our VP of Content, and Endre Lunde, SVP of Communications for Nammo, talk about the main defence stories to have dominated the headlines in the first half of 2019.

Music and sound mixing provided by Fred Prest

What is the Future Combat Air System and TF-X? How is Embraer positioning the KC-390? 

In this week’s episode of the Weekly Defence Podcast, we come to you from the tarmac at the sweltering Paris Air Show, covering the unveiling of FCAS and the Turkish TF-X sixth generation fighters.

We also take a flight in the Embraer KC-390, speak to Cubic Global Defense about the future of air combat training and hear about the teaming agreement between our sponsor Nammo and Boeing.

• News Round Up (00:51)

This week in the news…

The Shephard Media team covers all the major announcements and trends from Paris Air Show 2019.

Senior Reporter Tim Martin describes how two new fighter jet mock-ups unveiled in a matter of minutes at Le Bourget left many at the Paris Air Show to react with a degree of scepticism. Tim also reviews the helicopter presence at the air show and provides an update on the Airbus Helicopters H160M multirole helicopter, which was one noteworthy aircraft on static display.

Meanwhile, Richard outlines how a rapidly maturing unmanned VTOL industrial base is pushing its platforms into contention for naval test and procurement programmes where it was thought only fixed-wing capabilities would suffice.

Paris Air Show: Future fighter hard sell undermined by soft detail
Paris Air Show: H160M mock up demonstrates payload options (video)
Paris Air Show: Unmanned VTOL eyes fixed-wing real estate
Paris Air Show: Carry on Poseidon (video insight)
Paris Air Show: Eurofighter launches long-term capability drive

• Paris Air Show coverage – flying in the KC-390 (12:20)

 Air Domain Editor Helen Haxell takes a flight in the Embraer KC-390 military transport aircraft and talks to Walter Pinto Junior, Vice President of the KC-390 at Embraer Defense & Security.

• Interview - Mike Knowles, president of Cubic Global Defence (21:16)

Mike Knowles, president of Cubic Global Defence, provides an update on the ‘laser tag in the sky’ system, also known as the P5 Air Combat Maneuvering Instrumentation (ACMI) training device.. 

•  Industry Voice – Nammo (36:10)

In this week’s Industry Voice Tony Skinner, our VP of Content, and Endre Lunde, SVP of Communications for Nammo, talk about the company’s strategic agreement with Boeing.

Music and sound mixing provided by Fred Prest